Management of sternal wound dehiscence

Fouzia Choukairi is a Speciality Trainee in Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of South Manchester; Joseph Ring is a Speciality Trainee in Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Oldham Hospital; Joe Thekkudan is a Registrar in Cardiothoracic Surgery, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton; Stuart Enoch is Programme Director — Education and Research at the Doctors’ Academy and Specialist Registrar in Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of South Manchester Sternal wound complications may result from median sternotomy procedures following cardiothoracic surgery and can represent a significant management problem, for example, infections and dehiscence can increase hospital stay, morbidity and mortality. Morbidity from sternal wound dehiscence was close to 50% until recently, but with recent advances, including sternal fixation techniques and various reconstructive surgical options, this has improved. This article outlines the problems of wound dehiscence and delayed healing following median sternotomy and provides an overview of the pertinent management options.